§ 1604. Development standards for special preservation districts.

The following standards are required within SP districts.

A.

Maximum number of lots created per parcel shall not exceed 19 lots.

B.

Minimum lot size three acres.

C.

Minimum lot width 200 feet.

D.

Lot lines shall be substantially at right angles to road or ingress/egress lines.

E.

All structures shall have their narrowest width parallel to the stream flow to reduce hydrostatic pressures. A sketch of the floor plan design showing location on the lot is required to show compliance.

F.

Lots shall be provided adequate drainage, however, natural vegetation and trees shall be protected by minimum clearing and grading.

G.

Setbacks:

1.

Front: 100 feet (from stream bank or road).

2.

Side: 30 feet.

3.

Rear: 50 feet (in no case closer than 100 feet to stream bank).

4.

Buffers as required in the article II, section 26-34(c)(15), soil erosion and sedimentation control shall not be encroached upon if in conflict with the above, however, any required buffers shall be included in the required set-back.

H.

The requirements of article II, Flood Damage Prevention, article 5, River Corridor Protection and article 4, Wetland Protection must be met when appropriate.

I.

All subdivisions shall conform to section 34-95, Standards for subdivisions, as found in the flood damage prevention ordinance and amended as follows:

a.

All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.

b.

All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage.

c.

All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.

d.

Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivisions.

J.

Individual septic systems shall be designed to be flood proof as required in flood damage prevention article II, section 34-91(8) and article V section 26-155(1)c. No more than one single-family residence may be served by a single septic system. Septic tanks shall be of the fiberglass type that has a bolt on, sealed lid to prevent contamination of floodwaters. No septic tanks or drain fields shall be located in any drainage area. It shall be required that a soil scientist survey each lot to determine the best location of a septic system based on soil type requirements as per the standards established by the Georgia Department of Health.

K.

Minimum lot area: As specified by the county health department, but in no case less than three acres; however, a lot of record lawfully existing at the time of passage of this ordinance [Nov. 9, 2004] and having an area which does not conform to the above standards may nevertheless be developed with a use which is permitted within an SP district if approved by the county health department, unless a larger area is otherwise specified herein.

L.

Maximum building height: Maximum building height shall not exceed 45 feet; however, this height limit does not apply to projections not intended for human habitation. For buildings and structures with such projections, the minimum required yards must be increased one foot for every two feet (or part of two feet) of height greater than 45 feet.

M.

Applicability to land and open space: No building, structure or land may be used or occupied—and no building or structure or part of a building or structure may be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered—unless in conformity with all of the regulations specified for the district in which it is located.

N.

Every use must be on a lot: No building or structure may be erected or use established unless upon a lot as defined by this ordinance.

O.

Only one principal building per lot: Only one principal building and its accessory buildings may be erected on any lot, except for planned developments or as otherwise provided.

P.

Open space not to be encroached upon: No open space may be encroached upon or reduced in any manner except in conformity with the yard, setback, off street parking spaces, and other such required development standards contained in this ordinance. Shrubbery, driveways, retaining walls, fences, curbs, and buffers are not considered to be encroachments of yards. Open space areas as required by this ordinance must be permanently maintained as open space in accordance with the requirements of this ordinance.

Q.

Reduction of yards or lot area: Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance, a lot existing at the time of passage of this ordinance [Nov. 9, 2004] may not be reduced, divided, changed as to produce a tract of land which does not comply with the minimum dimension or area requirements of this ordinance for the district in which it is located unless that reduction or division is necessary to provide land which is needed and accepted for public use.

R.

Lots with multiple frontage: In the case of a corner lot or double frontage lot, front yard setback requirements apply to all lot lines abutting a street.

S.

Landlocked lots: In case of a landlocked lot (a lot without direct access to a public street or road) lawfully existing as of the effective date of this ordinance, the property owner is entitled to one building permit, as long as all of the following requirements are met:

1.

No other principal building exists or is being constructed on the property.

2.

No other valid building permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this ordinance and is currently valid.

3.

The property was and continues to be under single ownership since the effective date of this ordinance.

4.

The property owner has acquired a 30-foot easement to a county or state-maintained street or road, and the easement has been duly recorded and made a part of the property deed.

T.

Street frontage: No principal building may be erected on any lot which does not have an ingress/egress easement to an existing county road or state highway.

U.

Yards and other spaces: No part of a yard, other open space, off-street parking, or loading space required for another building may be included as a part of the yard, off-street parking, or loading space required for another building, except as specifically provided for in this ordinance.

V.

Substandard lots: Any lot existing at the time of the adoption of this ordinance, which has an area or a width which is less than required by this ordinance, is subject to the following exceptions and modifications:

1.

Adjoining lots in same ownership: When two or more adjoining and vacant lots within a nonapproved development with continuous frontage and are in single ownership at the time of application and such lots have a frontage or lot area less than is required by the district in which they are located, such lots must be replatted or reparceled so as to create one or more lots which conform to the minimum frontage and area requirements of the district.

2.

Single lots: When a lot has an area or frontage which does not conform with the requirements of the district in which it is located, but was a lot of record at the effective date of this ordinance, such a lot may be used for any use allowed in the zoning district in which it is located as long as all other requirements of this ordinance are met.

W.

Encroachment on public rights-of-way: No building, structure, service area, required off-street parking, or loading/unloading facilities are permitted to encroach on public rights-of-way.

X.

Physical design standards: Minimum design standards for driveways, loading areas, and other such physical site improvements are contained in applicable development regulations of Screven County. Consult that document for specific requirements.

Y.

Off-street parking and service requirements: Minimum standards for off-street parking and service requirements are contained in the Screven County Standard for Off-Street Parking and Service Facilities (appendix B [to this appendix]).

(Ord. of 11-9-2004(2), § 30)